Sale 913 — 2006 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Saturday, 13 May, 2006
Category — 1894-98 Bureau Issues
2c Carmine, Ty. III (252). Top imprint and plate no. 146 block of six with wide selvage, original gum, barely hinged, radiant color, unusually choice centering throughoutEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM PLATE BLOCK OF THE 1894 UNWATERMARKED CARMINE TYPE III ISSUE. A PLATE BLOCK OF EXTRAORDINARY FRESHNESS AND APPEAL.
With 2005 P.F. certificate
10c Dark Green (258). Mint N.H., bright color on white paper, almost perfectly centered with well-balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL AND REMARKABLY FRESH MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1894 UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
With 2000 P.F. certificate as block of four and 2001 P.F. certificate as single with selvage (since removed).
$1.00 Black, Ty. II (261A). Mint N.H., intense shade, proof-like impression showing every little detail of the engraving, choice centering with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 $1.00 TYPE II UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
Collectors of this issue know that it is extremely difficult to find the first Bureau issue in centered, Mint Never-Hinged condition, particularly the higher denominations. This is mostly due to production problems as the Bureau of Engraving and Printing assumed responsibility for stamp production after the American Bank Note contract expired.
With 1999 P.F. certificate.
$1.00 Black, Ty. II (261A). Original gum, small h.r., detailed impression on bright paperVERY FINE AND CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 UNWATERMARKED $1.00 TYPE II ISSUE.
With 1993 P.F. certificate
$2.00 Bright Blue (262). Original gum, lightly hinged, pretty pastel colorVERY FINE AND CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE UNWATERMARKED $2.00 1894 BUREAU ISSUE.
With 1999 P.F. certificate
$5.00 Dark Green (263). Mint N.H., choice centering and unusually wide margins, beautiful deep rich color and incredibly detailed impression showing all of the fine engraving lines in the background, bright and fresh paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN EXCEPTIONAL AND EXTREMELY RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $5.00 1894 UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
Without question, the $5.00 is the rarest of the 1894 Unwatermarked Bureau Issue in sound, well-centered Mint Never-Hinged condition. It is unlikely that more than four or five Extremely Fine Mint N.H. examples exist.
With 1979, 1992 and 2004 P.F. certificates
$5.00 Dark Green (263). Original gum, lightly hinged, brilliant color on post-office fresh paper, choice centering for this difficult issueVERY FINE AND CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 $5.00 UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
With 1993 P.F. certificate
5c Chocolate (270). Mint N.H. top imprint and plate no. 163 block of six, radiant color on bright paper, choice centeringEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED PLATE BLOCK OF THE 1895 5-CENT WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE. RARE IN SUCH SUPERB CONDITION.
With 1999 P.F. certificate
$2.00 Bright Blue (277). Mint N.H. with part imprint at bottom, rich color on bright paperVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A SCARCE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $2.00 1895 WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
With copy of 1991 P.F. certificate for strip of three
$2.00 Dark Blue (277a). Mint N.H., intense color in the true Dark Blue shade, sharp proof-like impressionVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A SCARCE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE WATERMARKED 1895 $2.00 BUREAU ISSUE IN THE DARK BLUE SHADE. A STUNNING STAMP.
With 1987 and 2002 P.F. certificates
$2.00 Dark Blue (277a). Original gum, lightly hinged, rich color on bright paper, wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1895 $2.00 WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE IN THE DARK BLUE COLOR
With 1984 P.F. certificate
$5.00 Dark Green (278). Original gum, barely hinged, bright shade and crisp impressionVERY FINE AND CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1895 $5.00 WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
With 1994 P.S.E. certificate
10c Brown, Ty. I (282C). Mint N.H., pretty pastel color, perfectly centered with well-balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a beautiful stamp, with 2002 P.F. certificate